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Project Information

This is the second piece I did for an art exhibit that was being sponsored by a long time Waukegan business, Waukegan Tire. I had the "Independent" box about 95% designed when I went to visit their facilities a second time to look through more bins. While doing so the owner pulled out a rim center that had been machined and polished at the American Racing Custom wheel shop. He asked if I could use it in my design…well the wheels started turning (I know…a bit punny). At first I was going to design a stand for the box but then decided on a side table to make it a bit more universal….the design of the "Connection" table had started.

The main design feature of the "Connection" table are the connecting rod shaped legs. They are made from maple using a combination of bandsaw, handplanes and three different routing fixtures. They have hand-cut mortises to accept the tenons on the center rim supports. The connecting rod bolts are actual splined, chromed lug nuts. In the center of the connecting rods are diecast emblems that are normally placed in the center of wire spoked wheels.

The center rim supports are maple and were shaped using a vertical panel raising bit and handplanes. The rim center is supported by four maple angled blocks. The angle matches the angle on the backside of the rim. There is also an aluminum pin in each to mate up with a hole I drilled in the rim. That is for perfect alignment if you choose to remove the rim center.

The glass supports are also made from maple. I made a routing fixture so I could route a rebate onto the support that matched the diameter of the rim. After picking the locations I drilled and tapped into the rim to mount them….then came all the shaping. The supports hold up a 3/8" thick x 24" diameter piece of tempered glass. Overall the table stands 24" tall.

The "Connection" table was finished with (4) coats of hand rubbed poly with sandings of 0000 steel wool in between each coat. After curing it was waxed with satin wax.

This was the first side table I ever did but I would have to say I was very happy with the results….there might be more designed in the future. Well, time to pack up the shop for the big move! Keep making that sawdust!

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Comments

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That is an amazing table. The design and integration of the rim flow really nicely. The raised circles around the eagle emblems are impressive too.
 

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Really nice…! Always creative maybe you can trade them for a new set of Michelins
 

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Very cool…some gearhead is definitely going to want this for his/her home or shop…that is, if you will part with it!!
Great imagination, design, workmanship and finish! This is a wonderful piece.
 

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I'm right out of superlatives Jeff. ...... right out. ..... used 'em all up.
Just let me say that I don't believe I will ever confuse your work with anyone else's. ...... ever.
You have a style that really is all your own.

Thanks for letting us peek into your brain, what a wonderland. (and I mean that in a good way)

:). Thanks
 

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I believe Paul beat me to it AGAIN LOL! When they say this ain't rocket science they left you out of the picture.

Goes well with the previous piece.
 

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Jeff, this looks like it could fly right into a Star Wars movie. What fun, and it will frame your last creation perfectly. I would like to see them pictured together. What a perfect example of the whole being greater than the sum of the parts. Thanks for sharing this newest example of your imagination at work. May you never turn to the Dark Side.
 

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Probably the coolest side table I've ever seen!
 

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This one of the coolest tables I have seen. And it has Jeff written all over it.
Very very nice.

Steve
 

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wow - great twist on wood working - this is the first time I've seen your work so i check out the other pieces
You are a talented artist for sure
 

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Very imaginative design. Everything flows together well. I like the theme. Great side table. Thanks for sharing.
 

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Not quite to my taste, but who cares - the workmanship and design are amazing. I'd be proud to have it in my living room just for that!
 

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Love the artistry, integration of non-wood parts and the attention to details. Wonderful piece.
 

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Happy you guys are liking this one. It is definitely a table for the car lover out there. I understand it isn't for everyone. The family business loved the design.

Allen…if you look closer you will see it is raised on the bottom of the leg also. I used a routing fixture to lower the entire middle area around 0.25" so it looked like a real connecting rod. I then used another routing fixture to route out the very middle area to also mimic a connecting rod.

Thanks for checking out the other pieces Greg…glad you like them.

well, just a really big thanks to all of you…the comments keep me in the shop!
 

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Terriffic!
It belongs in a museum..!!!
 

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Absolutely beautiful! And I bet that thing is heavier than it looks !
 

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This is incredible design, almoust out of this world. Interesting combination of two materials wood and metal.
 

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That is very cool
 

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As a certified car nut, I would definitely have that in my house!!!
 

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wow, absolutely beautiful… another cool creation!!!
 
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